Search Results (6)

This study investigated young and mature coconut fibers as an asbestos replacement in fiber–cement flat sheets. The ratio of fiber content ranged from 5% to 9.5% in increments of 0.5% by weight of binder. Crushed rock dust (CRD) was also utilized in this study at a ratio of 50% as sand replacement. The results showed that the addition of young coconut fiber (YCF) and mature coconut fiber (MCF) in flat sheets increased with decreasing bulk density and thermal conductivity. The optimum fiber content was 6.5%–7% by weight of binder for two types of fiber with the highest modulus of rupture of 12–13 MPa. The modulus of rupture and density of fiber–cement flat sheets using YCF were higher than that of fiber–cement flat sheets using MCF, which was clarified by SEM results due to the denser structure of MCF. Moreover, the modulus of rupture was directly proportional to the modulus of elasticity in fiber–cement flat sheets. Full article

In this study, hydrogel films of biocomposite comprising bacterial cellulose (BC) and silk (S) were successfully fabricated through a simple, facile, and cost-effective method via biosynthesis by Acetobacter xylinum in a culture medium of coconut skim milk/mature coconut water supplemented with the powders of thin-shell silk cocoon (SC). Coconut skim milk/mature coconut water and SC are the main byproducts of coconut oil and silk textile industries, respectively. The S/BC films contain protein, carbohydrate, fat, and minerals and possess a number of properties beneficial to wound healing and tissue engineering, including nontoxicity, biocompatibility, appropriate mechanical properties, flexibility, and high water absorption capacity. It was demonstrated that silk could fill into a porous structure and cover fibers of the BC matrix with very good integration. In addition, components (fat, protein, etc.) in coconut skim milk could be well incorporated into the hydrogel, resulting in a more elastic structure and higher tensile strength of films. The tensile strength and the elongation at break of BC film from coconut skim milk (BCM) were 212.4 MPa and 2.54%, respectively, which were significantly higher than BC film from mature coconut water (BCW). A more elastic structure and relatively higher tensile strength of S/BCM compared with S/BCW were observed. The films of S/BCM and S/BCW showed very high water uptake ability in the range of 400–500%. The presence of silk in the films also significantly enhanced the adhesion, proliferation, and cell-to-cell interaction of Vero and HaCat cells. According to multiple improved properties, S/BC hydrogel films are high-potential candidates for application as biomaterials for wound dressing and tissue engineering. Full article

By analyzing the growth and development of different types of strawberry plants, the researchers were able to evaluate the interference with the horticultural potential of the cultivar ‘Albion’. The five treatments that have been studied corresponded to different types of strawberry plants: mini plants in trays with young roots, plants in trays with mature roots and an initial reduction of fertigation, plants in trays with mature roots, plants with bare roots, and plants in trays with mature roots preserved by the cold. In bags containing coconut fiber, the experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. The attributes evaluated were the total yield per plant, the total yield per plant with fruits above 10 g, the total yield per hectare, the total yield per hectare with fruits above 10 g, the average plant diameter, the average number of buds per plant, and the average number of stolons per plant. There were no significant effects among the plant types concerning yield production. Plants in cold-preserved trays with mature roots showed a higher number of buds than plants in trays with mature roots. Cold-preserved tray plants with mature roots produced the highest number of stolons, followed by bare-root plants. It is concluded that the types of strawberry seedlings did not influence the productive performance of the strawberry ‘Albion’ cultivar. However, cold-preserved tray plants with mature roots showed better vegetative performance, with a yield of a higher number of buds and stolons. However, the results were influenced by the agroclimatic conditions of the producing region; due to climatic interference in the behaviour of the plants about the factors studied, it is recommended to repeat the experiment for a better understanding of the objectives. Full article

There is an increased interest in the hydroponic production of strawberries in protected cultivation systems, and it is, therefore, urgent to develop new, more sustainable growing media alternatives. This study investigated the physical properties of wood fiber produced from Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) and peat:wood fiber substrate blends as well as the performance of the wood fiber in comparison to the industry standards, i.e., peat and coconut coir in the cultivation of hydroponic strawberry. Tray plants of the June-bearing strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cultivar ‘Malling Centenary’ were transplanted into five different growing media: a peat (80%) and perlite (20%) mixture, stand-alone (100%) coconut coir and three stand-alone (100%) Norway spruce wood fiber substrates (including coarse textured fibers with compact and loose packing density and compacted fine-textured fibers). Ripe strawberries were harvested and registered throughout the production season. The overall marketable yield was comparable across all the tested growing media; however, after 4 weeks of harvest, both coarse wood fiber and fine wood fiber showed better fruiting performance than the peat-perlite mixture. A trend for earlier berry maturation was observed for all wood fiber-based substrates. Plant parameters recorded after the end of production showed that plant height, number of leaves, and biomass production were higher in coarse wood fiber than in the peat-perlite mixture. Moreover, plants grown in wood fiber-based substrates had less unripe berries and flowers not harvested in comparison to both the peat and coir treatments. Full article

Makapuno is a natural mutant coconut cultivar with jelly-like endosperm. Here, we investigated the nutritional compositions, active ingredients, and antioxidant activities of Makapuno meat and water. The contents of macronutrients, sugars, vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids were reported. We found that Makapuno meat has higher dietary fiber with lower protein and fat content compared to normal coconut meat. Medium-chain fatty acids were the major fat component of Makapuno meat and water. Phytochemical analysis revealed that while flavonoid content was lower, the total phenolic, alkaloid, and tannin contents of Makapuno meat were comparable with those of mature coconut. However, Makapuno water contained higher alkaloid content when compared to mature and young coconuts. The antioxidant activities, as examined by DPPH, FRAP, and ABTS assays, showed that Makapuno meat and water had antioxidant activities, and Makapuno water exhibited protective activity against DNA damage. Hence, this research provides the nutraceutical importance of Makapuno, which could be used in the food industry. Full article

The economically profitable production of crops is related, among other factors, to seed quality, the production system, and the water used in irrigation or preparation of nutrient solutions. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the phenology, production, and vigor of seeds of mini watermelons grown in saline nutrient solution and different substrates. In the fruit and seed production phase, the experiment occurred in a greenhouse with five electrical conductivities of water for nutrient solution preparation, ECw (0.5, 2.4, 4.0, 5.5, and 6.9 dS m⁻¹), and two growing substrates (coconut fiber and sand). We evaluated the physiological quality of seeds previously produced under the five electrical conductivities of water and two substrates. High salinities for the hydroponic cultivation of the mini watermelon cultivar ‘Sugar Baby’ accelerated fruit maturation and crop cycle, decreasing fruit size. However, in both substrates, the seed production of mini watermelons, seed viability, and seed vigor occurred adequately with a reject brine of 6.9 dS m⁻¹ in the hydroponic nutrient solution. The seed production of ‘Sugar Baby’ mini watermelons using reject brine in a hydroponic system with coconut fiber and sand substrates is viable in regions with water limitations. Full article